Line Dance Instructions

Line dance instructions, either via the Internet or in person during a class, can help you catch on to one of the most popular genres of dance out there today. Socializing and exercising go hand in hand with the fun, upbeat choreography found in country western dance.

The Importance of Line Dance Instructions

Most anything can be self taught to a certain extent; however, with dance, it is very difficult to just create on your own without ever running into the issue of not having a name or identification for the steps you come up with. Some of the moves you create may be inspired by watching others, while a few are entirely your own creation. While it is not absolutely necessary to get formal instruction in line dancing techniques, learning steps that others also do is a good way to turn dancing into a social event. Your own moves are fine for yourself, but if you want to dance with other people, you'll want to get on the same foot as them.

Line Dancing Classroom Instruction

Classroom learning is the easiest way to get good line dance instructions. Every class is run differently, and regionally you will find even further variations, but overall the basic process is the same. Since line dancing is so social, you will find those in a line dance class chatting with each other much more than you would see in a more rigid form of dance such as ballet or ballroom.

Some instructors just turn on the music and see what students remember from the week before, while others will walk you through each step individually. Starting with slower line dances, everyone warms up and refreshes their memory. For new students, the slower dances are also a great learning point, as they are steady enough to allow for catch-up time. After the basic warm-up dances, an instructor will usually start teaching a new dance. This will happen without music, as the teacher maps out each single pattern in the dance, step by step. A good teacher will go over the steps several times to ensure everyone in the class has received proper instructions.

After all patterns are taught, the teacher walks the students through the entire dance, counting along with the rhythm. Then, the music is added in. When all students have gotten the hang of the dance to the music, there is usually some sort of free dance time, where students are able to freely dance the newly-learned choreography, while also having fun with older, more familiar, favorite dances.

Finding Line Dance Classes

Line dance classes can be taught literally anywhere and everywhere, since they do not contain the same physical demands as formal dance. You may see line dancers being instructed in a park, in someone's driveway, at a formal dance studio, or at a country western bar. Some physical fitness teachers even incorporate line dancing into their young students' P.E. curriculum.

Search online, or check out the local bulletin boards at your mall, bookstore, grocery mart, etc. in order to find local classes. Just walking in to a local dance studio is another good starting point. Community colleges and recreation centers also often offer dance classes that are open to adults, and you can meet a lot of new friends through these classes.

Online Instructions

Many websites offer complete basic line dancing steps, and these can work if you aren't ready to dance yet in front of other people. You can find a library of step sheets, and also further information on how to get started with remote, independent learning.

The Value of Dance Instruction

Studies have shown that mental sharpness is retained, and even improved, over the years when an individual dances. This effect of improved mental sharpness was not found in any other physical activity or form of exercise. In short, line dancing, alongside all other types of dances, isn't only fun to do, it's good for you too!